Have what looks to be a hair in my view finder

I hope it's not already a scratch and can't imagine that it could be as I haven't done much of anything with it.

I know when I take the lens off I can get to it but before I do anything I wanted to get some expert opinions on how I should go about wiping it off?

Doubtless there'll be some experts along to advise you but, before then, don't "wipe" anything in your camera, especially the mirror which is very easily damaged.

David

you could pick up a rocket blower and blow it out, see if it moves.
NO compressed air!

a rocket blower is like a turkey baster of sorts, air fills the bladder, and is blow out when the bladder is compressed by hand, turn camera mirror down when doing this, so dust falls out.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com …et-air-blower-review.aspx

SmuckerS2 wrote in post #11177625
NO compressed air!

Ha! Had a buddy of mine use compressed air on his 20D to clean the sensor. He was also holding the can upside down. It didn't end well.

2nd the blower idea.

It's frustrating the hell out of me and I've only had the camera for 24hrs! Its on the viewfinder screen and not showing up in pictures so that's good I guess. I tried blowing in it a couple times and did touch the spot lightly with a q-tip but can't seem to get it out. It's moved some though so I know it's not a scratch, just weird that it'll move but won't come out.

I'm just going to leave it alone I guess before I really make things bad.

don't blow into the camera with your mouth, moist air causes problems.

oh, i see, it's on the viewfinder, u originally said when you take the lens off you can get to it, still, see if a rocket blower can dislodge it, probably an eyelash

NokeStar wrote in post #11177669
I'm just going to leave it alone I guess before I really make things bad.

That's very wise - be patient until a safe solution is found.

David

I did blow into it with my mouth, I made sure to wipe my lips and swallow any saliva but still I understand this is not a safe practice. The hair is inside the camera above the sensor on the viewfinder.

What camera body ? Is is on the slanted mirror or the focusing screen on top of it, can you see it in the viewfinder or when you look into the camera from the lens mount ?

I have the Xsi - If i was to take the lens off the body, then look inside the body it is on the screen at the top above the mirror. I have flipped the body upside down and looked with a bright light. I can see the hair or whatever it is sitting between to AF points but for whatever reason can't seem to get it to budge.

I'd rather have a hair in my viewfinder than in my bowl of cereal.

NokeStar wrote in post #11177922
I have the Xsi - If i was to take the lens off the body, then look inside the body it is on the screen at the top above the mirror. I have flipped the body upside down and looked with a bright light. I can see the hair or whatever it is sitting between to AF points but for whatever reason can't seem to get it to budge.

Are you sure it's not on the eyepiece end of the viewfinder, it's really hard to get a hair on the focusing screen.

If it can't move it must be on the top surface of the focusing screen.
Use a blower on the focusing screen only once it is out of the camera body, here is the process to remove the screen.

http://www.katzeyeopti​cs.com/files/install7.​pdf

Just be glad it dosnt have dandruff!!

Old Salty wrote in post #11177642
Ha! Had a buddy of mine use compressed air on his 20D to clean the sensor. He was also holding the can upside down. It didn't end well.

2nd the blower idea.

Your friend's mistake was holding the can upside down... I use canned air on my cameras all the time, but I've been using the stuff for various applications (including cameras) ever since the stuff first came on the market. There's nothing wrong with it. You just have to know what you are doing.

turn the camera upside down, and you should be able to see the focusing screen. blow it out that way, with a rocket blower or canned air. just don't hold that can upside down. i've read here where a guy visited the Canon servicing center and asked and watched them use canned air. unless you're really dumb about it, you can't really mess it up. and if you do, then you deserve it.